Cat odor and inherited tenant
Hi all! I’m new to being a landlord. I just bought a 4 unit, 2 of which have cats.
One cat-occupied unit, no problem.
The other—-uff dah! The smell?!? (How do people even want to live this way???)
The inherited lease is not very strong or specific on housekeeping pet rules. Now I likely wouldn’t have offered her renewal anyway with or without cat odors or damages. (When I got the renters’ files hers was peppered with multiple 5 day late rent notices.)
Question: today I was in her unit tending to some simple maintenance suggested by the home inspection. So the natural timing opportunity presents itself to speak up to her, if useful or helpful. What (if anything) is pragmatic to say to her to remedy, prevent worsening, considering the weak pet addendum in her lease and my plan not to offer renewal? I mean, could she unwittingly make things *worse* if she “tries” to cooperate with making a less stinky, apartment?
Other damage includes hardwood floor darkening/staining - is it thru to the subfloor? Not sure, but seems likely, right?
(Current lease ends 7/31)
Thanks for any advice you can offer me!